When Auburn landed former USF quarterback Byrum Brown in the transfer portal, the move turned heads-and rightfully so. Brown brings proven production and a dynamic presence under center.
But if you’re only watching the quarterback, you’re missing half the story. Because right there in the middle of the offensive line, one of Brown’s most trusted teammates is making just as big an impact.
Enter Cole Best.
Best may not have arrived with the same fanfare as Brown, but his addition was a critical piece of Auburn’s offensive rebuild. A two-year starter at center for USF, Best brings not just experience, but continuity. He knows the offense, he knows the quarterback, and perhaps most importantly, he knows how to lead.
Best didn’t just follow Brown to Auburn-he brought the system with him. Having already operated in the schemes run by head coach Alex Golesh and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon, Best steps into a familiar role in a new setting. That’s no small thing when you’re trying to install a new offense in Year 1 of a coaching regime.
“I think what we do offensively is unique enough at that position where you have to be trained,” said Auburn offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick. “That gives Byrum more confidence that he’s got his guy at center-someone he’s been catching snaps from for the past two years.”
That kind of built-in chemistry between quarterback and center is gold. It speeds up the install process, smooths out communication, and helps set the tone for the rest of the unit. And for a young offensive line that’s still finding its footing, having a guy like Best anchoring the middle is a stabilizing force.
But Best isn’t just a technician. He’s a tone-setter.
“Cole is as alpha as they come,” Hudanick added. “He’s not afraid to speak up when it’s not right, he’s not afraid to speak up when it is right.”
That’s the kind of leadership Auburn needs, especially with so many new faces in the building. The Tigers brought in 11 offensive transfers from USF, and Best was one of the vocal leaders in that group last season.
His voice will carry weight not only with the newcomers but also with the younger offensive linemen who stayed through the coaching change. All three returning linemen are underclassmen, and now they’ve got a veteran to model themselves after.
On the field, Best’s performance speaks for itself. In 2025, he gave up just 10 pressures across 490 pass-blocking snaps-and didn’t allow a single sack, per Pro Football Focus. That kind of consistency in pass protection is exactly what Auburn needs as it replaces longtime starter Connor Lew at center.
In a league where interior pressure can derail even the most talented quarterbacks, having a center who keeps the pocket clean is a game-changer. And for Brown, who’s stepping into a new conference with higher stakes and faster defenses, having Best in front of him is a major advantage.
So yes, Brown is the headline. He’s the quarterback, the playmaker, the guy who will ultimately drive this offense.
But don’t overlook the man snapping him the ball. Cole Best is more than just a familiar face-he’s a foundational piece of what Auburn is building.
And if this offense is going to click the way the coaching staff envisions, Best will be right in the middle of it-literally and figuratively.